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Dendup P, Ugyen U, Dorji R, Lham C. Updated distribution and habitat use by Endangered Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens) in Bhutan. JAD 2023; 5 (1)
URL: http://jad.lu.ac.ir/article-1-258-en.html

The Himalayan red panda Ailurus fulgens is a carnivore feeding mainly on bamboo leaves and shoots. Habitat loss, fragmentation, degradation, and poaching are some of the major threats to the red panda population. In Bhutan, the Himalayan red panda is reported from within and outside protected areas; however, only a few studies (distribution, threats, and habitat correlates) have been carried out, and only a few are known about this species. Herein, we report information on updated distribution, habitat use, and activity pattern from the by-catch images of red panda occurrence from both systematic camera traps set for the country-wide tiger (Panthera tigris) survey (2014-2015) and other red panda surveys after 2015-2021 from different parks and forest divisions. The Himalayan red panda is found to occur in 19 of 20 districts in Bhutan. Within protected areas they are found in eight of 11 protected areas (Wangchuck Centennial, Jigme Dorji, Jigme Singye and Phrumsengla National Park, Bumdeling and Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Jigme Kheser Strict Nature Reserve and Royal Botanical Park) and four of eight biological corridors connecting Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary to Jigme Singye National Park, Wangchuck Centennial National Park to Jigme Singye National Park, Phrumsengla National Park to Jigme Singye National Park and Phrumsengla National Park to Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary. The majority of red pandas were recorded in the broadleaf forest followed by mixed conifer forest and are found distributed between 1,520-4,325 m (mean 3,098 m). Red pandas have higher preferences for habitats such as fir, mixed conifer, and alpine scrub. The activity pattern of red pandas showed that they were primarily diurnal, with peak activities taking place between 10.00-11.00 hours.